Home>Alicia, Felipe and Davi tell us about their experience at the COP28 in Dubaï
13.12.2023
Alicia, Felipe and Davi tell us about their experience at the COP28 in Dubaï
Alicia, Davi and Felipe are three Brazilian PSIA students, currently working as co-presidents of Pour Le Brésil, recently took an active part in the COP28.
This Sciences Po-based association, founded in 2019 by Brazilian students and recognized by UNESCO aims to fund scholarships for Amazonian students and train young leaders to promote the Amazonian agenda internationally. It mission is also to act as a bridge between European entities and youth institutions in the Amazon region.
Alicia and Davi both graduated from the Poitiers’ campus, specializing in Latin America. Alicia is currently in the Human Rights and Humanitarian Action Master’s, with concentration in gender and Latin America. Davi is a student of the International Governance and Diplomacy Master’s, with concentration in sustainability. Felipe joined Sciences Po through the double degree program PUC-SP/Sciences Po, achieving one year in graduation, and entering the Master’s of International Development.
Despite their different career prospects and interests, the three co-presidents always prioritized projects linked to sustainability and human rights. The Pour Le Brésil’s team decided in 2023 to focus on this specific region, at the heart of debates around climate justice in Brazil, seeking to give more place to Amazonian people in the current debates in Europe.
In 2023, the co-presidents raised funds for the production research reports; the creation and management of the scholarship program “Transatlantic dialogues” which brought 5 grantees from the Amazon region to the Sciences Po Summer school in July 2023; and a training program, “Samauma Initiative”, which offers an advocacy formation and English classes to eight young women activists and leaders from the Amazon region.
Could you tell us more about the activities the "Association pour le Brésil" organised during the COP28?
During COP28, Pour Le Brésil kept working with the empowerment of young leaders from the Amazon region, using its position as a bridge between Europe and Brazil. This COP is a pivotal point for Brazil, which is now at the head of G20 and will be hosting the COP30 in 2025; and we cannot talk about Brazil without mentioning the Amazon region, known for its diversity and complexity. The representation of Amazonian, from traditional communities, urban and/or peripheral realities is necessary for sustainable solutions. With this idea in mind, we organized and financed the venue of four young activist leaders from the Amazonian region to the COP in Dubai. We also managed to build strategic agendas for which one of them, to participate in debates promoting themes as climate change and youths in the Global South.
This project required fundraising, engaging with different partners and actors, following the activists and their own guidelines (events, negotiations, debates, etc) during the COP28.
How did this experience contribute to your future career goals?
This experience definitely strengthens our engagement towards the promotion of sustainable development and our career projects. The COP is an unique opportunity of networking, not easily accessible in our daily lives.
What advice would you share with the students?
Step out of your comfort zone, allow yourself to comprehend and engage with others, learn, understand, and embrace what different people and experiences can bring to you.
